Railway truck construction and method of making the same



Sept. 9, 1941. 0. K. KJOLSETH 2,255,489

RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor: Ole K; Kjolseth, by 771 His Attorney.

Sept. 9, 394 o. K. KJOLSETH RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 1941- 0. K. KJOLSETH- RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 3, 1940 Attorn ey.

Invemtor- Ole K. Kjolseth,

RAILWAYYTRUCK CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Sept. 9, 1941.

0. K. KJOLSETH Filed April 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventov O\e K. Kjolseth, Hi5 Actotney.

i atented Sept. 9, i941 UNiTE.

STAT E S PAT RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF NG THE SAME Gle K. Kjolseth, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York 6 Claims.

My invention relates to railway vehicle truck constructions and methods of making the same.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved and simplified railway truck structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved and simplified method of making a railway truck.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved and simplified railway truck side frame.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved railway truck pedestal assembly.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent and my invention will be better understood from the following description referring to the accompanying drawings, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a railway locomotive main driving truck and a guiding truck supporting the outer end of the driving truck adapted to support substantially one-half of the locomotive; Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a partially assembled guiding truck as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of a side frame and a pedestal shoe of the truck shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an end of a guiding truck side frame shown in Fig. 3 with the pedestal shoes in position; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fabricated guiding truck shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the truck shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is an enlarged View taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the fabricated driving truck shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the driving truck shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the pedestal shoe member assembly taken along line Ill-10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a perspective View, partially broken away, of the pedestal shoe assembly provided on the driving truck shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing one of the steps 1n assembling the driving truck shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown an electric locomotive supporting structure including main driving trucks and guiding trucks of my improved fabricated construction. In modern high speed trains, the trend of designs for railway vestrength, simplified structures.

hicles has been toward lighter weight, higher 5 In accordance with this general design, I provide main driving trucks having side frames l0 formed of plate steel members which are secured together by transversely extending steel plate elements H welded to the side frames for retaining them in aligned relation. The inner ends of the side frames H] are secured together by transversely extending end frames i2 which also are welded to the side frames. The weight of the locomotive superstructure is adapted to be supported upon the main driving truck by a center bearing l3 secured to a front frame extension member I4, the inner end of which extends transversely between the two side frames ill and is welded to the front ends thereof. Loading pads l5 are arranged on each side of the main driving truck adjacent the inner end thereof and are supported on gusset plates is arranged on the inner transversely extending frame member I l. These gusset plates l6 are welded to the side frames l6 and the transversely extending member H to provide a more rigid connection therebetween. Corresponding gusset plates I1 and iii are arranged adjacent the lower edge of each end of the transversely extending members I l, and also are welded there to and to the side frames to provide a more rigid unitary frame structure. The upper edge of the outer transversely extending member if also is provided with a reinforcing gusset plate is welded thereto adjacent each end thereof and to the side frames H). In this manner, I provide a rigid unitary driving truck construction having a minimum number of parts all formed of relatively simple structural elements.

This driving truck frame is resiliently supported by a spring rigging upon journal boxes 29 arranged about axles mounted on driving Wheels 2|. This spring rigging includes a plurality of longitudinally extending leaf springs 22 supported by spring straps 23 upon spring seats 24 arranged above the journal boxes 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the springs 22 are interconnected by spring hangers 25 pivotally secured to each end thereof and secured to longitudinally extending equalizer elements 26 which are arranged within relatively narrow longitudinally extending apertures 0r openings 2? formed in the plate side frames l0 and pivotally mounted therein on pins 28 extending between pairs of supporting bracket plates 29 welded on each side of the side frames I0 above the openings 2?. A pair of spring hangers 30 is pivotally supported on the outer end of each outer spring 22 and is provided with a spring seat 3! on which is mounted a coil spring 3?. arranged to engage an upper spring seat 33 secured to the under side of an opening 34 formed in the side frame it.

In order to transmit longitudinal forces between the driving axle journal boxes 29 and the side frames 16, and in order to carry out further my simplified structure and method of construction, I provide simplified pedestal shoe constructions which are arranged within pedestal openings 35 formed in the side frames l5. These pedestal shoe members include pedestal shoe inserts 35 which are arranged in pairs in each pedestal opening 35 and are secured together at their lower edges by a tie bar In forming the apertures and openings in the side frame members H! for the spring rigging elements and the pedestal shoes, I have found it desirable and economical to flame cut the metal to be removed by the well known flame-cutting process. In thus forming the openings in the side frames and in Welding the various truck members together, there is apt to develop a slight amount of distortion of the frame members and misalignment of corresponding openings or apertures in the two sides of the truck, so that it is desirable that these apertures and openings should be formed slightly larger than required for the spring rigging elements and for the pedestal shoe members. It is essential in constructing a railway vehicle truck that the pedestal shoe members be accurately aligned in predetermined relation to each other. In order to insure that the pedestal shoes will thus accurately be arranged in predetermined relative positions, the pedestal shoe inserts 36 are secured together in pairs by the tie bars '5? by bolting these elements together with tie bar bolts 38 and securing these pedestal shoe element assemblies in the desired predetermined relative longitudinal and transverse positions upon any suitable mounting base such as an assembly floor. This arrangement is particularly illustrated in 12. The prefabricated frame then is arranged over and in registry with the pedestal shoe element assemblies and the insert elements are welded in position within the pedestal shoe openings 35 of the side frames Ill. The top nuts of the stud bolts 38 are arranged within small recesses 39 formed adjacent the lower edges of the pedestal shoe openings 35, and after the pedestal inserts 38 have been securely welded in position within the pedestal openings 35, these nuts on the bolts 38 may be loosened and the tie bars 3'! removed. In order to assemble the truck frame upon the journal boxes 29, I arrange the frame with the openings 35 over the journal boxes 28 and place pedestal shoe bearing members between the insert members 36 and the outer sides of the journal boxes. These pedestal shoe bearing members include a pedestal shoe bearing plate supporting member formed as a box-shaped shoe element including two side elements 66 adapted to engage the inserts 38 and secured together intermediate the ends thereof by a plate ll welded thereto and at the ends thereof away from the insert elements 35 by another plate 62. A channel section bearing plate 33 is secured by rivets 44 to the plate element Ali! and is adapted to engage the sides of the journal box. These Pedestal shoe bearing plates are retained in position by the tie bars Ell. This provides a very convenient and simplified arrangement for replacing the pedestal shoe bearing members whenever they become worn, as they may be removed and replaced by another member by merely loosening the tie bar bolts 38 on each side of the pedestal shoe inserts, removing the tie bar 31, and replacing the worn pedestal shoe bearing plate by a new bearing plate. The relative arrangement of the pedestal shoe members is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

The locomotive truck supporting arrangement includes two driving trucks, such as has been described above, which are joined together by an articulated connection at their inner ends. This connection is made by an articulation pin 45 which extends through openings 45 formed in the end frames 12 of these trucks. The front extension M of each of the driving trucks is formed at its outer end to provide a draft rigging housing, in which is mounted a coupler 41 and its associated draft rigging, This front extension of the driving trucks is adapted to extend over a guiding truck and to be connected thereto, so as to cooperate with the guiding truck to facilitate guiding the locomotive into curves in the track. The guiding truck also is constructed in accordance with my improved fabricating methods, and is provided with plate steel side frames 48 which are connected together at the ends thereof by transversely extending steel box section members 49 and 58, each formed of two channel section elements. These side frames also are connected together intermediate the ends thereof by a pair of transoms 5| formed of steel channel sections and Welded to the side frames 48. Reinforcing gusset plates 52 and 53 are arranged adjacent the upper surface of the channel sections 5! and are welded thereto and to the side frames in order to provide a more rigid support for the transoms. The inner side of the guiding truck frame also is provided with diagonally extending rein-forcing bars 5t which are welded to the side frames 48 adjacent the inner transom 5i and to the inner end frame 50. A bolster, not shown in the drawings, is adapted to be arranged between the transoms 5i and provided with a center bearing, also not shown, arranged to cooperate with a complementary center bearing, not shown, on the front extension M of the driving truck for supporting part of the weight on the guiding truck.

The guiding truck frame is resiliently supported by leaf springs 55 secured together by spring straps 56 arranged about the central portions thereof and mounted upon the upper sides of journal boxes 51. These journal boxes 51 are arranged about axles mounted upon wheels 58, and are adapted to transmit forces between the axles and the guiding truck frame through pedestals formed in the side frames '48 of the truck. These pedestals include pedestal openings 53 which are flame cut from the side frame plate elements 48, and a steel plate U-shaped liner 6D is welded over the upper side of this opening and the upper portion of the two sides thereof. A pedestal shoe is adapted to engage the sides of the journal boxes, and since distortio'nsand irregularities may occur in the assembly and fabrication of the truck frame, the pedestal openings are formed somewhat larger than is required for the assembly of the pedestal shoes with respect to the pedestal openings. In order to secure the pedestal shoes in position, a plurality of gusset plates is arranged on each side of the pedestal openings. A pair of pedestal side plates Si is arranged to extend from below the two ends of the liner flange 60 to adjacent the lower edge of the pedestal opening :59. Three gusset plates :22, 63, and 64 are arranged in spaced relation adjacent the top, center, and bottom respectively of the inner pedestal side plate GI and are securely welded thereto and to the side frame 48. Corresponding gusset plates 65, 69, and 61 are arranged adjacent the top, center, and bottom respectively of the pedestal side plate 6! on the outer sides of the pedestal openings 59 and are securely Welded thereto and to the truck side frame 48. The pedestal shoe assembly also includes a tie bar 68 which is secured by bolts 63 to the lower gusset plates 64 and 61, and is spaced therefrom by pedestal toes 10. A pedestal shoe is adapted to be secured to the pedestal gusset plates on each side thereof and includes a prefabricated bearing plate H secured by rivets 12 to a pedestal shoe supporting member formed as a U-shaped element of an L-angle element l3 and a flat plate 14 welded together. This pedestal shoe is adapted to be fitted over the outer end of one of the middle pedestal gusset plates and between the upper and lower pedestal gusset plates. The width of the outer end of the middle gusset plate is made slightly less than the distance between the two flanges of the pedestal shoe bearing plate supporting member, so that it may be adjusted with respect to the other pedestal shoes of the truck and arranged in a predetermined relative position with respect thereto, so that all of the pedestal shoes may be arranged in a predetermined relation. This pedestal shoe then is securely welded to all three of the gusset plates and completes the pedestal assembly of the truck. The outer upper gusset plate 65 also is provided with a spring seat 15 arranged about a spring hanger opening 16 formed in the outer corner thereof. Gusset plates H are welded to the side frame 48 and to the gusset plate 65 on each side of the opening 16 in order to strengthen this portion of the side frame, as a portion of the load on the guiding truck is transmitted to the side frame through this part of the gusset plate. A coil spring H3 is arranged to engage the under side of the gusset plate 65 within the spring seat 15 and is supported on another spring seat 19 secured to the lower end of a spring hanger 80 which is pivotally mounted on the outer end of one of the leaf springs 55. The inner end of each leaf spring 55 pivotally supports a spring hanger 8! which is arranged to support the outer end of an equalizer 82. This equalizer 82 is connected through an equalizer bracket 83 to the side frame 48 adjacent the central portion thereof. The guiding truck also is provided with a tail piece 84 welded to the inner end frame 58 and pivotally secured by a pin 85 through suitable stabilizer mechanism to the front extension 14 of the main driving truck. These constructions provide improved and simplified truck structures and improved methods of fabricating the same from standard structural steel plates and angle sections.

While I have illustrated and described particular embodiments of my invention, modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that my invention is not to be limited to the particular arrangements and methods disclosed, and I intend.

in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A railway truck frame including plate side frame members provided with pedestal openings therein of slightly larger size than required for finished pedestal shoe members, a plurality of prefabricated pedestal shoe members aligned within said pedestal openings in predetermined positions relatively to each other, said pedestal shoe members being provided with pedestal insert members welded to said side frame members, a removable pedestal shoe bearing plate supporting member arranged about each of said insert members, a pedestal bearing plate secured to each of said pedestal shoe bearing plate supporting members, a tie bar arranged to extend between and secure together into pairs said pedestal shoe members and to retain in position said pedestal shoe bearing plate supporting members, and means for removably securing said tie bars to said pedestal shoe insert members.

2. A railway truck frame including side frame members provided with pedestal openings therein, prefabricated pedestal shoe members including pedestal insert members aligned within said pedestal openings in predetermined positions relatively to each other and welded to said side frame members, a transversely extending member welded to said side frame members and integrally securing together said side frame members, each of said pedestal shoe members including a removable pedestal bearing plate supporting member, a pedestal bearing plate secured to each of said pedestal bearing plate supporting members, tie bars secured to adjacent pairs of pedestal shoe members and arranged to retain in position said bearing plate supporting members, openings in said side frames between said side frames and said pedestal insert members, and means extending from said openings through said pedestal insert members for removably securing said tie bars to said pedestal shoe members.

3. The method of making a railway truck frame which includes forming side frames with pedestal openings therein, securing together the side frames by welding a transversely extending member thereto, aligning pairs of pedestal shoe members in predetermined longitudinal and transverse positions relatively to each other, then arranging the side frames with the pedestal openings in registry with the pedestal shoe members, and welding the pedestal shoe members to the side frames in the desired predetermined aligned positions.

1. The method of making a railway truck frame which includes forming side frames with pedestal openings therein, securing together the side frames in desired relation by welding a transversely extending member thereto, aligning pairs of pedestal shoe members in predetermined longitudinal and transverse arrangement relatively to each other, placing the truck frame with the side frame pedestal openings in registry with the aligned pedestal shoe members, and welding the pedestal shoe members to the side frames in the aligned positions.

5. The method of making a railway truck frame which includes forming side frames with pedestal openings therein, securing together the side frames by welding a transversely extending member thereto, detachably securing together pairs of pedestal shoe members in desired finished relation, aligning the pairs of pedestal shoe members in predetermined arrangement relatively to each other, placing the truck side frames with the pedestal openings over the aligned pedestal shoe members, and welding the pedestal shoe 10 sition.

lation, securing the pairs of pedestal shoe members in predetermined relative arrangement in the pedestal openings by welding to the side frames, d sconnecting the pedestal shoe members secured together into pairs, placing pedestal shoe bearing plate members over the welded pedestal shoe members, and securing together into pairs the welded pedestal shoe members to retain the pedestal shoe bearing plates in po- OLE K. KJOLSETH. 

